Summary

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentary at top of the page

  • Toone scores but goes off with knee injury, White adds second & penalty either side of own goal

  • Substitute England scores either side of second own goal and Mead hits eighth

  • Sarina Wiegman's first game as England boss

  • Houghton late withdrawal through injury so Williamson captains side

  1. goal

    GOAL - England 3-0 North Macedoniapublished at 45 mins

    Julija Zivikj (own goal)

    North Macedonia's Julija Zivikj scores an own goal and the third for EnglandImage source, Reuters

    Like busses!

    Beth Mead takes the corner short, Alex Greenwood whips in the delivery and the Macedonian goalkeeper misses the ball completely.

    Left-back Julija Zivikj fluffs her clearance and and up putting the ball in her own net.

    A cruel goal to concede right before half-time.

  2. Postpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 17 September 2021

    England 2-0 North Macedonia

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    That's unfortunate for North Macedonia. It's a mix up at the back. Four of their defenders are scrambling for the ball and it just falls nicely for Ellen White. It was their own undoing there.

  3. goal

    GOAL - England 2-0 North Macedoniapublished at 42 mins

    Ellen White

    Ellen White scores for EnglandImage source, Reuters

    It's been coming!

    Ellen White doesn't miss from there.

    It's great work from Ella Toone who fights to keep the the ball alive inside the box and after the Macedonian defence get themselves in a bit of a pickle, the ball falls for Ellen White to stroke into the bottom corner from close range.

    Out comes her famous celebration.

  4. Postpublished at 39 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    There's another stoppage in play as Macedonia's Suarta Dervishi receives treatment.

    She was brave to come out for a ball being chased by the onrushing Ellen White, who just caught the goalkeeper's calf as she landed.

    Dervishi is back to her feet and we are good to go.

  5. Postpublished at 38 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    There's a big cheer as goalscorer Ella Toone returns to the pitch. Great to see her able to carry on.

  6. Postpublished at 38 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Lauren Hemp doing what Lauren Hemp does best. She turns the defender and leaves her for dust before whipping in a dangerous ball, but it's not enough to beat the goalkeeper. The warning signs are there.

  7. Postpublished at 35 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    After a lengthy stoppage, Ella Toone is assisted off by the England physios. It seems like she wants to carry on, but for now the Lionesses are a player down.

  8. Postpublished at 33 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Oh no.

    Ella Toone is on the ground covering her face and it looks like she is in a fair bit of pain.

    The medics seem to be assessing her right knee after one of the Macedonian defenders clattered into her after taking a shot.

    Ella Toone down injured for EnglandImage source, getty
  9. Postpublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 17 September 2021

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Rochi is so isolated up top for North Macedonia. She can only do so much. She is holding the ball up well, but her team-mates are taking so long to come up and support her. It's difficult.

  10. Postpublished at 32 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    As it stands England have had 78% possession and 14 shots on goal, but only three of those have been on target.

    Ella Toone in action for EnglandImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 17 September 2021

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    The only negative for England right now is that they are only one goal up after creating so many opportunities.

  12. Postpublished at 28 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Beth Mead tees up Millie Bright with a short lay-off from the free-kick, but as the Chelsea defender lets fly, the ball is blocked by the Macedonian defence and the danger is cleared. For now.

  13. Postpublished at 27 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    There's no arguing with that one.

    England have a free-kick in a dangerous position as Sindis Polozhani clumsily slides into goalscorer Ella Toone.

    Looks like the defender is worse off.

  14. Postpublished at 25 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Demi Stokes appeals for a foul as she is sandwiched between two North Macedonia players before going down in the box, but the referee says it's fair game.

  15. Postpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 17 September 2021

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Earlier in this match, England were having joy down the wings. But now the defence is stretching and the space in now in between. England are finding those spaces and recycling the ball.

  16. Postpublished at 22 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    North Macedonia's first real chance falls to Ulza Maksuti, who takes it past Georgia Stanway with her left foot before firing over Mary Earps' goal with her right foot.

  17. Postpublished at 20 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    England have had plenty of chances and could easily have scored five or six already.

    A reminder that the biggest win in Lionesses history was a 13-0 demolition of Hungary in a World Cup qualifier back in 2005.

    England v North MacedoniaImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 17 mins

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    How is that not 2-0?!

    Georgia Stanway shoots across goal and it looks like it's creeping into the bottom corner. Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp are at the back post watching as the ball looks like it was heading over the line, but it's inches wide in the end.

    Close!

  19. Postpublished at 19:16 British Summer Time 17 September 2021

    England 1-0 North Macedonia

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Great movement again. Ella Toone making that run in behind the defenders and the pass has been found. It's a fantastic finish.

    The pass through from Leah Williamson took great vision.

  20. goal

    GOAL - England 1-0 North Macedoniapublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 17 September 2021

    Ella Toone

    Ask and you shall receive!

    Rachel Daly wins the ball back in her own half and Leah Williamson plays an inch-perfect pass for Ella Toone who slots it past Suarta Dervishi cool as you like.

    The goalkeeper definitely could have done better with that one.

    It's a first Lionesses goal from open play for the Manchester United forward.

    Ella TooneImage source, Getty Images